What happened?
Valencia Basket announced that its 20‑year‑old, 206 cm forward Jorge Carot has signed with the Pacific Tigers of the University of the Pacific to play in the NCAA. He remains under contract with Valencia until 2029, so the club retains his rights.
How did he develop in the academy?
Carot joined L’Alqueria del Basket at age 12 during the 2018‑19 season. In his second year he helped the team finish fourth in the 2020 Endesa Mini‑Cup and earned a spot in the tournament’s Best Five. In June 2021, at just 16, he contributed to Valencia’s fourth‑place finish in the Spanish Cadet Championship, ending a semifinal drought dating back to 1999.
What milestones did he reach before heading to the US?
In February 2022, despite being two years younger than his opponents, Carot debuted in the Adidas Next Generation Tournament in Belgrade. He won the regional championship in April and helped Valencia claim the bronze medal at the Spanish Cadet Championship in May, matching the club’s best sub‑16 performance. That same year he earned his first call‑up to the Spanish U‑18 national team.
What does his move to the NCAA mean?
The agreement with the Pacific Tigers includes a return clause: Valencia keeps the option to bring Carot back to the first team after his college stint. The NCAA experience will expose him to bigger, faster players, improve his field‑goal percentage and refine his post‑play.
What future does Valencia Basket envision?
The club believes Carot will return more mature, with stronger rebounding and paint defense. If he averages at least 10 points and 6 rebounds per game in the NCAA, Valencia could have an interior complement for Usman Garuba and Luka Dončić in the upcoming ACB and EuroCup seasons.
What’s next for the player?
Carot will start preseason with the Tigers in August, coached by Mike Smith. His official debut is set for November 15 2026 against the San Diego State Aztecs, where he is expected to log at least 8 points and 4 blocks in his first minute under the rim.